THE INSIDER AUTHORITY ON GATOR SPORTS

Bailey finished with recruiting

Things didn’t turn out the way Preston Bailey had originally planned. Bailey, an offensive lineman from Nashville, Tennessee, thought he would take all of his official visits and then wait until after his senior season to announce where he was going to college. All of the sudden things changed and Bailey was ready to commit on Wednesday August 29.

“I had my press conference and announced to everyone that I will be going to the University of Tennessee,” the 6-5, 315-pounder said.

Even though he kept it quiet, Bailey said he favored the Vols all along.

“When the whole process started and I took my first visit to Tennessee I kind of knew in the back of my head that this was the place I wanted to go,” he said. “I still remained open and listened to what the other schools had to say. But, at the end of the day the coaches made my parents feel comfortable with me going there and I felt comfortable there with the family atmosphere they have. Plus, I like how it is close to home, I can play big time football and still get a good education.”

Bailey, who was just added to the Gator Country just missed Hot 50 list, picked Tennessee over several other schools including Florida, Michigan and Georgia Tech.

“I just liked Tennessee more then the other schools,” he said.

The big offensive lineman never received an offer from the Gators nor visited Gainesville, but had he not made a decision so early Bailey believes both of those things would have changed.

“I knew they were eventually going to offer me,” he said. “Coach Hevesy, my recruiting coordinator, just wanted me to come down and see the campus. If I was going to take my official visits, I would have definitely taken one to Florida.”

While some recruits will commit to schools and still visit others, Bailey said now that he has made his decision he will only visit Tennessee.

“Before the process started I said when I commit to a school it is going to be a set commitment,” he said. “That is what I am going to do. I am not going to visit any other schools, but I will probably still take my official visit to Tennessee.”

Bailey is a smart kid and a solid prospect. Had he waited, he might have received an offer from the Gators, but instead he will be trying to beat them during his college career.

Things didn’t turn out the way Preston Bailey had originally planned. Bailey, an offensive lineman from Nashville, Tennessee, thought he would take all of his official visits and then wait until after his senior season to announce where he was going to college. All of the sudden things changed and Bailey was ready to commit on Wednesday August 29.

“I had my press conference and announced to everyone that I will be going to the University of Tennessee,” the 6-5, 315-pounder said.

Even though he kept it quiet, Bailey said he favored the Vols all along.

“When the whole process started and I took my first visit to Tennessee I kind of knew in the back of my head that this was the place I wanted to go,” he said. “I still remained open and listened to what the other schools had to say. But, at the end of the day the coaches made my parents feel comfortable with me going there and I felt comfortable there with the family atmosphere they have. Plus, I like how it is close to home, I can play big time football and still get a good education.”

Bailey, who was just added to the Gator Country just missed Hot 50 list, picked Tennessee over several other schools including Florida, Michigan and Georgia Tech.

“I just liked Tennessee more then the other schools,” he said.

The big offensive lineman never received an offer from the Gators nor visited Gainesville, but had he not made a decision so early Bailey believes both of those things would have changed.

“I knew they were eventually going to offer me,” he said. “Coach Hevesy, my recruiting coordinator, just wanted me to come down and see the campus. If I was going to take my official visits, I would have definitely taken one to Florida.”

While some recruits will commit to schools and still visit others, Bailey said now that he has made his decision he will only visit Tennessee.

“Before the process started I said when I commit to a school it is going to be a set commitment,” he said. “That is what I am going to do. I am not going to visit any other schools, but I will probably still take my official visit to Tennessee.”

Bailey is a smart kid and a solid prospect. Had he waited, he might have received an offer from the Gators, but instead he will be trying to beat them during his college career.